Since May, 2023, the Houston Democracy Project has helped lead the conversation and brought results, in the fight in Houston and Harris County against the anti-democratic political right. I’m writing because the work requires resources and merits support. I’m asking you for that support.   

Via the Project, I’ve acted effectively within traditional politics, bridged the gap between traditional politics and protest, and made clear the relevance of protest and being on the streets. 

I’ve been featured speaker at four Democratic Club monthly meetings, was ahead of the curve in recognizing the importance of this year’s Harris County Appraisal District elections, and was active in the HCAD race won by the Democrat who escaped a runoff by just 241 votes. I‘ve been involved with the Clubs In Action organization of neighborhood Democratic club presidents and leaders since its creation in 2022. In the 2023 Houston City Council elections, I convinced four Council candidates to add protection of democracy to their campaign websites, and I’ve continued to speak directly to Councilmembers about the importance of protecting democracy in Houston           

In spaces between conventional and non-conventional politics, I’ve expanded where Houstonians can be heard and have impact. The Project has an hour-long segment each Thursday at 6 AM on Politics Done Right on KPFT. I discuss local politics and take calls with host Egberto Willies.  

I took a lead role in opposing Mayor John Whitmire’s proposed ordinance to ban protest outside  the homes of politicians. How can we give up our rights with democracy under attack? I introduced the motion approved by the membership of the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus to oppose the ordinance, wrote a letter to each member of Council and spoke before Council in public session. Against expectations, the motion was sent to committee rather than approved. It has not returned to Council as of this writing.  There is no doubt citizen activism played a big role in that outcome.             

And as we face an authoritarian threat and the clear prospect of mass migrant roundups on Houston streets, the Project has consistently made the point that voting may not be enough. I’m a co-organizer of the weekly John Cornyn Houston Office Protest, which is approaching its 8th year on Houston streets and has an extensive local following. It’s important people see others like themselves willing to stand openly and confidently for democracy. 

I post often on the Project’s website blog. The blog and my social media presence allow me to press elected Democrats to be an active in 2024 Campaign even if in safe  districts. I’m working with a colleague in Fort Worth to help create independent and pro-democracy media not at the mercy of the algorithms and biases of big social media platforms. 

I was recently named Volunteer of the Year by the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus. I’m proud to have won the award and I’ll continue my volunteer work for the Caucus.  

At the same time, volunteerism has its limits. Ken Paxton’s violent raids on rank & file Democratic activists make clear the right will do anything to hold power. I’ve shown through my work with the Houston Democracy Project that I act effectively and creatively. I’ve proven I’ll show up for everybody's freedom across our great diverse city and county. Please contribute so I can continue the work.          

​Please sign the Houston Democracy Project petition to make the pledge to show up for freedom in 2024 no matter what.

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.  

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected]​​​
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I attended the monthly Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus meeting this evening. At the beginning of the meeting, candidates and folks with a political point to make can address the attendees for 60 seconds. I want to share this because it's important we realize that we can make a difference & we cannot rely on elected officials to speak up for our rights even at this perilous moment.    

Here's what I said--

"I’m Neil Aquino-A Caucus member and founder of the Houston Democracy Project. I’m here to report on the effectiveness of Caucus and rank and file citizen advocacy. Last month Caucus membership voted near unanimously to oppose Mayor Whitmire’s anti-First Amendment ordinance prohibiting protest politician’s homes. I introduced motion to oppose. We can’t lose our rights as we face an authoritarian threat. I thought the ordinance would pass & a Councilmember told me it would. But it did not. Whitmire didn’t have the votes. Our advocacy mattered. The opposition of the Caucus was mentioned in Council debate. The ordinance was sent to Council’s law committee for next Tuesday at 10 AM. Keep up the opposition. No elected official, to my knowledge, outside council spoke up against this attack on our rights. This even as our conventional political systems take us to the brink of authoritarianism and mass migrant round ups. Don’t forget your power as a citizen and our power together. Hold electeds accountable and be ready for the fights ahead at the ballot box, and anywhere else we need to be. Thank you. Houstondemocracyproject.com" 

Please sign the Houston Democracy Project petition to make the pledge to show up for freedom in 2024 no matter what.

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.  

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected]​​​

 

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Each Saturday I stand with microbiology professor Steve Norris at Hermann Park from noon to one. We are just off the big roundabout that has the statue of Sam Houston not far from the natural history museum. Steve started this action this past February and will be at the park each Saturday until the election.  

That's me on the left and Steve on the right this past Saturday. Steve made those signs on his own dime and has extras he offers to people who inquire.

In the center is a man from Brazil. He thanked us for being there and told about Brazil's struggles with anti-democratic former President Jair Bolsonaro. Us being there made a difference for this man. It helped the three of us talking to each other to see the global connections of these fights.     

It's important people see others like themselves showing up openly and confidently for democracy. We can't  forced out of public space by the aggression of the right. Almost every week Steve and I are asked if we are nervous to be there. (We are not.) It's not right that just standing in a park with a sign for an hour, should make people anxious for us.     
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Showing up requires brains. You need to know the value of showing up consistently, when to show up as a leader or in support and when to show up with something to say or just to listen to what others are saying.
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Please join Steve and myself at Hermann Park. It makes a difference. Voting alone is not going to get us out the challenges we are facing. We are going to need to show up when, where and how needed. We are going to need the connections established when we show up together.     

Please sign the Houston Democracy Project petition to make the pledge to show up for freedom in 2024 no matter what.

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.  

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected]​​​    

Labor Day would be an excellent day for local organized labor to start holding Houston Mayor John Whitmire accountable.  Labor has been a strong supporter of Mayor Whitmire. It would be better for the public and for labor if labor would hold Whitmire accountable instead.  

Here are some reasons why--

1. Mayor Whitmire makes it clear he does not want to work closely or effectively with County Judge Lina Hidalgo. This view, that Mayor Whitmire shares with Harris County Republicans, will make it more difficult for labor when Judge Hidalgo runs for re-election in 2026. The Texas Gulf Coast AFL-CIO Labor Federation has aggressively backed Judge Hidalgo. Mayor Whitmire's disdain for Judge Hidalgo will cause labor to expend more resources to defend her in a primary and in the 2026 General Election.   

2. Mayor Whitmire has almost $10 million in campaign funds in the bank.  Given that democracy is on the line in 2024, Mayor Whitmire could be spending that money to help elect Democrats. Not only is democracy  at stake, Republican victories in 2024 would enable the implementation of Project 2025. Project 2025 would be a nightmare for unions and working Americans. Mayor Whitmire's sitting on the sidelines in this important election year is causing labor to expend more resources to support endorsed candidates & is putting the future of organized labor at risk.           

3. Mayor Whitmire has proposed an ordinance that would restrict the rights of Houstonians to protest at the homes of politicians. (Lacking votes for passage, it has been referred to committee.) The First Amendment implications of this matter for everyone. An inhibited right to protest could easily impact a picket line or impede the ability of workers to hold a boss or an employer to account.           

​4. Mayor Whitmire's proposed anti-First Amendment ordinance was provoked by Pro-Palestinian protesters at his home. The Texas AFL-CIO was early in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. How about some solidarity?Many local civil rights and progressive groups spoke up against the ordinance. Labor was silent.      
                     
5. Mayor Whitmire's relentless attacks on public transit and road safety fall hardest on working people and the most disadvantaged Houstonians. A loyal partner in the Mayor's vendetta against public transit is newly-appointed Metro Board member Alexandra Mealer. Labor should speak up against the capture of Metro by regressive elements and this Mealer/Whitmire partnership.   
   
Labor and Houston can do much better than John Whitmire.  

Please sign the Houston Democracy Project petition to make the pledge to show up for freedom in 2024 no matter what.

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.  

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected]​​